This Is Us' Flash-Forward: An Ongoing Investigation

SEASON 2, EPISODE 14: “SUPERBOWL SUNDAY”

The social worker we’ve watched all episode, who we’ve thought was about to introduce this boy to his new foster parents Beth and Randall…

SEASON 2, EPISODE 14: “SUPERBOWL SUNDAY”

… turns out to be a grown-up Tess, aka our first signal that the show has skipped ahead a couple of years. “Even after you move out, you will have dinner with me once a week near your fancy office, and you will tell me everything,” Randall tells a young Tess earlier in the episode, and it looks like his prediction came true!

SEASON 2, EPISODE 18: “THE WEDDING”

The next time we see Old Randall and Adult Tess, it’s a different day, and they’re back at what looks like her office. But this time, their mood is notably subdued. “It’s time to go see her, Tess,” he says.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 18: “THE WEDDING”

“I’m not ready,” she replies sadly.

SEASON 2, EPISODE 18: “THE WEDDING”

“Me, neither,” he admits.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 1: “NINE BUCKS”

Adult Tess tells her dad she’s going to use the ladies’ room “before we head over.” Old Randall says he’ll wait.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 1: “NINE BUCKS”

While she’s busy, Old Randall pulls out his cell phone and calls…

SEASON 3, EPISODE 1: “NINE BUCKS”

… Old Toby! Old Toby is sitting up in bed in a room we haven’t seen before, and as the scene goes on, we can tell that he’s no longer wearing his wedding ring. Hmm… “Hey Randall,” he says wearily.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 1: “NINE BUCKS”

“Hey. You comin’ down?”

SEASON 3, EPISODE 1: “NINE BUCKS”

“Yeah, I don’t know if I should,” Old Toby responds. But when Old Randall reminds his brother-in-law that “She wants you to be there, Tobe,” ol’ Toblerone sighs and says, “Alright, I’ll see you soon.” They hang up. (And yes, the “she” is Rebecca, as we learn in Episode 9.)

SEASON 3, EPISODE 1: “NINE BUCKS”

Please note that the poster hanging behind Old Toby’s bed is the same one that’s in the bedroom he and Kate share in the present-day storyline.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 9: “THE BEGINNING IS THE END IS THE BEGINNING”

When Adult Tess returns from the bathroom, Old Randall asks, “You let your mom know we’re on the way?” Adult Tess says, “I’ll call her from the car.” Neither looks any happier than they did earlier.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 9: “THE BEGINNING IS THE END IS THE BEGINNING”

Next, we see a bunch of ballerinas dancing… which isn’t much in the way of a clue, but we thought the visual was too pretty not to include. Wait, who’s that watching the women dance?

SEASON 3, EPISODE 9: “THE BEGINNING IS THE END IS THE BEGINNING”

It’s Beth! She’s alive, as promised! As she peers down on what seems like a ballet class, a woman approaches her.

SEASON 3, EPISODE 9: “THE BEGINNING IS THE END IS THE BEGINNING”

“Hey boss, Tess called. Says they’re on the way,” the woman says. “OK, yeah. We’re all going to see Randall’s mother,” Beth says without much enthusiasm. (FYI: The show’s executive producers have confirmed that she’s talking about Rebecca, and not by some twist of fate, Randall’s biological mother.) “Oh, did you bring the Pin the Tail on the Donkey from my office?”

SEASON 3, EPISODE 9: “THE BEGINNING IS THE END IS THE BEGINNING”

She did! (EP Isaac Aptaker tells TVLine, “There’s definitely a significance to that game. The full significance of it we have not totally explored or revealed on the show yet. But yes, it’s something that was in their childhood growing up that we’ve seen them playing at the birthday party before. So it’s not a new, out-of-nowhere game for the family. It’s something that’s part of the fabric of their childhood.”)

SEASON 3, EPISODE 9: “THE BEGINNING IS THE END IS THE BEGINNING”

“I promised I’d bring it,” Beth adds before leaving, giving the students some positive feedback on her way out: “Nice adjustments, dancers.” (For what it’s worth, Susan Kelechi Watson gently but firmly shut us down when we tried to get her to speculate about Beth’s future.)